Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Montanita?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montanita or Ushuaia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Ushuaia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Montanita or Ushuaia?
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontanita $96Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $96, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montanita and Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontanita $41Ushuaia $5.64
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontanita $82Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Montanita or Ushuaia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montanita $39Ushuaia -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Ushuaia: $139
- Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $129
- Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $120
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $97
- Transfer from/to the airport: $89
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia): $55
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $46
- Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
- Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Montanita or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia and Montanita change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayMontanita $28Ushuaia $2.18
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
-
Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montanita $31Ushuaia $13
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $115
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $190
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $75
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $122
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $156
- 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $280
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $95
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $160
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontanita $7.86Ushuaia -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
-
Wine$0.05
-
Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montanita and Ushuaia, we can see that Montanita is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita than you might in Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montanita Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montanita or Ushuaia?
Ushuaia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montanita or Ushuaia in the Summer?
Both Ushuaia and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
In the summer, Montanita is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montanita in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.
Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Ushuaia during summer. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montanita usually receives less rain than Ushuaiain January. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontanita 25°C (78°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
Both Ushuaia and Montanita during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Montanita is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain April. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 26°C (78°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the autumn, Montanita often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain April. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun.
Montanita usually gets less rain in October than Ushuaiain April. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMontanita 26°C (78°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Ushuaia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
It's quite cold in Ushuaia in the winter. Montanita is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in July.
Montanita usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during winter. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montanita usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain July. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMontanita 27°C (80°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Ushuaia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Ushuaia. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Montanita is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montanita in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in October.
In the spring, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Ushuaiain October. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun.
Montanita usually gets more rain in April than Ushuaiain October. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontanita 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Montanita
| Montanita | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.